Flasher circuits



March 22, 1949. E. v. suNpT 2,465,131 I FLASHER CIRCUITS Filed Nov. 25, 1946 Patented Mar. 22, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLASHER CIRCUITS Edward V. Sundt, Chicago, Ill.

Application November 25, 1946, Serial No. 712,177

6 Claims.

This invention relates to flasher circuits for intermittently flashing a light.

The prin cipal object of this invention is to provide an improved flasher circuit for intermittently flashing a light following a momentary application of voltage to the circuit. In this connection the flasher circuit includes a first condenser of relatively large capacity, a resistance, and a second condenser of relatively small ca-- pacity connected in series across the first condenser and a gaseous discharge tube connected across the second condenser. When a voltage is momentarily applied to the first condenser it becomes charged and then gradually discharges through the resistance and the second condenser and gaseous discharge tube intermittently to charge the second condenser and flash the gaseous discharge tube until the first condenser is substantially completely discharged.

A further object of this invention is to provide the flasher circuit with a rectifier so that the first condenser may be charged by the momentary application of an alternating voltage. In such event the rectifier may be connected in series with the first condenser and a transformer may be utilized for applying the alternating voltage.

Such a flasher circuit is particularly adaptable for use as an attention getting device. For example, the circuit may be utilized for flashing a small neon lamp on a telephone annunciator circuit in place of the conventional annunciator drops on a telephone switchboard. It may also be utilized for flashing neon and other gaseous tube signs for advertising purposes. If desired,

the application of the voltage to the flasher circuit may be controlled by a suitable switch.

Inasmuch as the discharge through the gaseous discharge tube is essentially a D. C. discharge there is a tendency to disintegrate the negative electrode thereof. A further object of this in vention, therefore, is to provide means for reversing the polarity of the discharge through the gaseous discharge tube, thereby prolonging the life of the same. This may be accomplished, for example, by providing a switch for reversibly connecting the gaseous discharge tube with the flasher circuit.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a synchronizing means for reversing the polarity of the discharge through the gaseous discharge tube when the storage condenser is substantially completely discharged so that uniform operation of the flasher circuit may at all times be maintained.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the accompanying specification, claims, and drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a simplified form of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the manner in which the gaseous discharge tube and its associated condenser may be reversibly connected into the flasher circuit;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the manner in which the gaseous discharge tube may be reversibly connected across its associated condenser.

Referring now to Fig. l, the flasher circuit includes a storage condenser H] of relatively large capacity. Voltage is momentarily applied to the storage condenser Ill to charge the same. A leakage resistance H and a condenser I2 of relatively small capacity are connected in series with each other and across the storage condenser Ill, and a gaseous discharge tube i3, such as a conventional neon lamp, is connected across the second condenser i2.

When the storage condenser H1 is charged, the charge gradually leaks ofi through the leakage resistance H to charge the condenser 1-2, and when the condenser 52 has been charged to the flashing point of the gaseous discharge tube l3, the latter flashes and the charge on the condenser l2 discharges therethrough. Immediately the condenser i2 is again charged up to the flashing or discharge point of the gaseous discharge tube i3 and the cycle is repeated. In this way the second condenser i2 is charged and the gaseous discharge tube is flashed intermittently so long as sufficient charge remains in the storage condenser it. The frequency with which the gaseous discharge tube It flashes depends upon the relation between the resistance value of the resistance I! and the capacity value of the condenser iZ. The interval of time during which the gaseous discharge tube l3 intermittently flashes depends upon the capacity of the storage condenser it]. Thus the gaseous discharge tube [3 is caused to flash intermittently for an interval of time following a momentary application of voltage to the storage condenser l0.

While the storage condenser Ml may be directly charged by a D. C. voltage, I prefer to charge the same from an alternating voltage supplied by wires i l. The alternating voltage from the wires 14 is applied through a double pole, single throw switch Il5 to the primary 16 of a step-11p autotransformer having a secondary II. The secondary of the step-up transformer is connected in series with the storage condenser I through a rectifier IS. The rectifier l8 operates to place a positive charge on the condenser plate adjacent the rectifier so as to perform the sequence of operation as described above.

The switch i may be utilized for controlling the momentary application of alternating voltage to the flasher circuit but if the source of alternating voltage is momentary in character the switch I5 is not needed.

Upon closure of the switch l5 alternating voltage is applied to the transformer and is rectified by the rectifier for charging the storage condenser IO and in turn intermittently to charge the second condenser l2 and flash the gaseous discharge tube l3.

The arrangement of Fig. 2 is substantially the same as that of Fig. 1 and like reference characters have been utilized for like parts. In Fig. 2, however, there is provided a double pole, double throw switch having switch arms and 22 for engaging contacts 23 and 2 The switch arm 2| is connected to the resistance H and the switch arm 22 is connected to the transformer. The contact 23 is connected to one side of the condenser l2 and gaseous discharge tube i3 and the contact 24 is connected to the other sides thereof. The switch 20 may be operated by an armature 25 controlled by a solenoid 26.

When the switch 20 is in the position shown in Fig. 2, the connections are the same as those illustrated in Fig. l, and, therefore, the arrange ment operates in exactly the same manner as that of Fig. 1. When, however, the solenoid 29 is energized to step the switch arms through 180 to cause the switch arms 2| and 22 to engage the contacts 24 and 23 respectively, the second condenser l2 and the gaseous discharge tube 53 are reversely connected in the flasher circuit so that the condenser I2 is reversely charged and the direction of current flow through the gaseous discharge tube I3 is reversed. Except for these reversals the operation of the flasher circuit is the same as pointed out above. By so reversing the direction of current flow through the gaseous discharge tube, the tendency to disintegrate one of the electrodes thereof is eliminated. Each time the solenoid 26 is energized, the reversing switch 2!) is stepped through 180 as shown.

Also in Fig. 2 the double pole, single throw switch [5 may be operated by an armature 28 controlled by a solenoid 29 so that when the solenoid 22 is energized the switch i5 is closed. The solenoids 29 and 26 may be connected in parallel and through a switch 30 to a source of voltage 3!. A push button 32 may be provided for the switch 30 for substantially simultaneously momentarily energizing the solenoids 26 and 26. When the push button 32 is pressed the solenoid 26 steps the reversing switch 20 and the solenoid 29 closes the switch I5 to charge the storage condenser EU. When this is accomplished the push button 32 is released and the switch l5 opens but the switch,20 remains in its shifted position. The gaseous discharge tube then discharges in one direction. When the push button 32 is again pressed the reversing switch 20 is stepped through 180 as shown, and the switch [5 is closed to charge the storage condenser Iii. Here, however, the direction of subsequent discharge through the gaseous discharge tube I3 is reversed. Hence upon each manual manipulation of the push button32-thest0rage condenser 10- is charged and the direction of discharge through the gaseous discharge tube is reversed. The solenoids 26 and 29 form a synchronizing means so that the reversal of the gaseous discharge tube is made while the storage condenser II] is substantially completely discharged. This provides for uni form and even operation of the flasher circuit.

The flasher circuit of Fig. 3 is substantially the same as that of Fig. 2 and operates in substantially the same manner. Accordingly, like reference characters have been utilized for like parts. In Fig. 3, however, the reversing switch 20 is located between the second condenser l2 and the gaseous discharge tube l3 so that only the latter is reversed. The manner of operation is identical.

While for purposes of illustration several forms of this invention have been disclosed, other forms thereof may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to this disclosure, and, therefore, this invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims and prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A flasher circuit comprising, afirst condenser of relatively large capacity, a resistance and a second condenser of relatively small capacity connected in series across the first condenser, a gaseous discharge tube connected across the second condenser, and means for momentarily applying a voltage across the first condenser to charge the same and in turn intermittently to charge the second condenser and flash the gaseous discharge tube.

2. A flasher circuit comprising, a first condenser of relatively large capacity, a resistance and a second condenser of relatively small capacity connected in series across the first condenser, a gaseous discharge tube connected across the second condenser, means for momentarily applying a voltage across the first condenser to charge the same and in turn intermittently to charge the second condenser and flash the gaseous discharge tube. means for reversing the direction of current flow through the gaseous discharge tube and means for synchronizing the last two mentioned means to reverse the direction of current flow through the gaseous discharge tube when the first condenser is discharged.

3. A flasher circuit comprising, a rectifier and a first condenser of relatively large capacity connected in series, a resistance and a second condenser of relatively small capacity connected in series across the first condenser, a gaseous discharge tube connected across the second condenser, and means for momentarily applying an alternating voltage across the rectifier and first condenser to charge the first condenser and in turn intermittently to charge the second condenser and flash the gaseous discharge tube.

4. A flasher circuit comprising, a rectifier and a first condenser of relatively large capacity connected in series, a resistance and a second condenser of relatively small capacity connected in series across the first condenser, a gaseous discharge tube connected across the second condenser, means for momentarily applying an alternating voltage across the rectifier and first condenser to charge the first condenser and in turn intermittently to charge the second condenser and flash the gaseous discharge tube, means for reversing the direction of current flow through the gaseous discharge tube, and means for synchronizing the last two mentioned means to reverse the direction of current flow through the gaseous discharge tube when the first condenser is discharged.

5. A flasher circuit comprising, a transformer, a rectifier and a first condenser of relatively large capacity connected in series, a resistance and a second condenser of relatively small capacity connected in series across the first condenser, a gaseous discharge tube connected across the second condenser, and means for momentarily applying an alternating voltage to the transformer to charge the first condenser and in turn intermittently to charge the second condenser and flash the gaseous discharge tube.

6. A flasher circuit comprising, a transformer, a rectifier and a first condenser of relatively large capacity connected in series, a resistance and a second condenser of relatively small capacity connected in series across the first condenser, a gaseous discharge tube connected across the second condenser, means for momentarily applying an alternating voltage to the transformer to charge the first condenser and in turn intermittently to charge the second condenser and flash the gaseous discharge tube, means for reversing the direction of current flow through the gaseous discharge tube, and means for synchronizing the last two mentioned means to reverse the direction of current flow through the gaseous discharge tube when the first condenser is discharged.

EDWARD V. SUNDT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 

